Customizable bag with interchangeable exterior

ABSTRACT

A customizable bag comprising an interchangeable outer panel consisting of one or more fastening members configured to releasably engage with one or more fastening members fixed to an exterior surface of a bag body. The customizable bag further comprise a storage space defined between the interchangeable outer panel and the exterior surface of the bag body, accessible by releasing one of the fastening members.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to the U.S. Provisional patent application No. 62/074,624 filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Nov. 3, 2014. The specification of the above referenced patent application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to the technical field of bags and more particularly relates to customizable bags with easily interchangeable outer cover.

2. Description of Related Art

Bags are manufactured in diverse sizes, shapes, colors and designs using a variety of materialssuiting for different purposes. These bags include messenger bag, hand bag, duffel bag, satchel, shoulder bag, tote bags, backpacks, trolley bags, briefcases and the like. Usage of different types of bags have become increasingly common among a vast range of consumers belonging to diverse age group and constitutes a commonly adopted means for sorting, storing and carrying their belongings.

Conventional bags are typically designed and manufactured with fixed aesthetic and utility features. Consumers tend to purchase a multitude of bags in every color, texture and pattern according to their changing preferences and different occasions or usage purposes. For example, one obvious problem is the cost and time involved in frequent purchasing of different bags such as backpacks because of ever changing aesthetic qualities and improved utility features. Another commonly problem include the inability to clean the exterior of the backpack without soiling the interior or other compartments of the back pack during cleaning or washing.

Conventional backpacks which exists in the art merely shows improvement in handbags or pocket books by adding an additional foundation layer or an external covering, which are again limited to fixed designs. Other types of improvement that exists in the art include interchangeable strap facade system in backpacks for enhancing its aesthetic features, interchangeable foundation bags and modular backpacks with removable compartments.

Options for customizing bags according to consumer's personal preferences would be a great additional feature to the existing bags with fixed designs. Customizing the exteriors of the bags using modular components improves not only aesthetic qualities but also enhances the utility feature by addition of one or more storage compartments. Moreover customized covers or outer panels for bags enables the consumer to express their uniqueness, individuality and also to create their own personality and style. Customized bags with interchangeable skins also caters to the users' need for self-expression. The interchangeable exteriors may comprise customized designs, color, images, text, icons, texture and the like, which reflects the mood or personality of the consumer.

Accordingly, there exists a need in the art, for a customizable bag with interchangeable outer cover which not only adds to the aesthetic quality but also enhances the utility features of the bag.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a customizable bag comprising an interchangeable outer panel which consists of one or more fastening members configured to releasably engage with one or more fastening members fixed to an exterior surface of the bag. The customizable bag further comprise a storage space defined between the interchangeable outer panel and the exterior surface of the bag, accessible by unfastening one of the fastening members.

In an embodiment, the interchangeable outer panel comprises at least two fastening members disposed substantially along the perimeter, for detachably attaching to corresponding fastening members fixed to an exterior surface of the customizable bag. The interchangeable outer panel attached to the exterior of bag not only adds variety and aesthetic value but also defines a receiving space between the exterior of bag and interior of outer cover thus forming an additional storage compartment. The receiving space is accessible by unfastening one of the two fastening members.

In one embodiment, the interchangeable outer panel comprise an upper fastening member and a lower fastening member. The storage space can be accessed by unfastening the upper fastening member, whereas the interchangeable outer panel can be detached completely by unfastening both the upper fastening member and the lower fastening member. The fastening members can be selected from a group consisting zipper fastener, button type fastener, hook and loop type fastener and snap fastener.

In an embodiment, the upper and lower fastening members, each comprises a pair of zipper fasteners with one of the zipper portion is attached to the exterior of the bag and its corresponding zipper portion attached along the perimeter of interchangeable outer panel. The customizable bag further comprises an elastic tab can be attached to at least one end of each zipper portion fixed to the exterior surface of the bag body, the elastic tab facilitates pulling up the zipper portion from the bag body for easily engaging with the corresponding zipper on the interchangeable outer panel. The customizable bag comprises messenger bag, hand bag, duffel bag, satchel, shoulder bag, tote bag, backpack, trolley bag, briefcase, computer bag and the like.

In one embodiment, the zipper portions of the bag are configured to be operated in the same direction. The lower zipper portion begins adjacent to the point where the upper zipper portion ends and the upper zipper portion begins adjacent to the point where the lower zipper portion ends. The above stated zipper configuration facilitates selective unfastening of upper zipper portion for accessing the storage space defined between the interchangeable outer panel and the exterior surface of the bag body.

Customizable bags with interchangeable skins or outer panels caters to the users' need for self-expression. The interchangeable outer panels may comprise customized designs, color, images, text, icons, texture and the like, which reflects the mood or personality of the consumer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a customizable backpack with an interchangeable outer panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of the customizable backpack with interchangeable outer panel partially opened.

FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of the customizable backpack with the interchangeable outer panel detached.

FIG. 3 illustrates accessing of storage space defined between the interchangeable outer panel and an exterior surface of the backpack.

FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of a customizable hand bag according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 4B and 4C illustrates a side view and a top view respectively of the customizable hand bag.

FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of a customizable duffle bag according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 5B and 5C shows a front view and top view respectively of the customizable duffle bag.

FIG. 6 illustrates an interchangeable outer panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A description of different embodiments of the present invention will now be given with reference to the Figures. It is expected that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

The present disclosure relates to a customizable bag with an interchangeable outer panel which consists of one or more fastening members configured to releasably engage with one or more fastening members fixed to an exterior surface of the bag. The interchangeable outer panel attached to the exterior of bag not only adds variety and aesthetic value but also defines a receiving space between the exterior of bag and interior of outer cover thus forming an additional storage compartment. The fastening members can be selected from a group consisting zipper fastener, button type fastener, hook and loop type fastener and snap fastener.

Referring to FIG. 1, which shows a perspective view of a customizable back pack 100 with an interchangeable outer panel 110 comprising an upper zipper portion 112 and a lower zipper portion 114 disposed substantially along the periphery of the outer panel 110. In an embodiment, the upper zipper portion 112 is attached along the periphery of the top half portion and the lower zipper portion 114 is attached along the periphery of the bottom half portion of the interchangeable outer panel 110. The outer cover 110 is detachably attached to the exterior surface of the backpack 100 by releasably engaging the upper, lower zipper portion 112, 114 with the corresponding zipper portions 102, 104 fixed on the exterior surface of the backpack 100. The zipper portions 102, 104 are arranged on the exterior surface of the backpack 100 in such a way to conform to the shape and size of the interchangeable outer panel 110. The customizable back pack 100 further comprises and elastic tab 116 attached to at least one end of the zipper portions 102 and 104 disposed on the exterior surface 108 of the bag 100. The elastic tab 116 allows the end portion of the zippers 102, 104 to be gently pulled off the bag surface for easily engaging with the zipper portions 112 and 114. A pull tab 118 for zipper is attached either to the zipper portions 102, 104 on the exterior surface 108 of bag 100 or to the zipper portion 112, 114 on the outer panel 110.

FIG. 2A illustrates the customizable backpack 100 with the interchangeable outer panel 110 in a partially detached position. The interchangeable outer panel 110 is opened or partially detached by unfastening the upper zipper portion 112 from the corresponding zipper portion 102. Further, a storage space 106 is defined between the interchangeable outer panel 110 and the exterior surface 108 of the bag 100. FIG. 2B illustrates the interchangeable outer panel 110 being detached from the exterior surface 108 of the bag 100 by unfastening both the upper zipper portion 112 and lower zipper portion 114.

According to an embodiment, the zipper portions 112, 114 of the customizable bag 100 are configured to be operated in the same direction. For example, the lower zipper portion 114 begins adjacent to the point where the upper zipper portion 112 ends and the upper zipper portion 112 begins adjacent to the point where the lower zipper portion ends 114. The above stated zipper configuration facilitates selective unfastening of the upper zipper portion 112 for accessing the storage space 106 defined between the interchangeable outer panel 110 and the exterior surface 108 of the bag 100, as shown in FIG. 3.

The outer panel 110 can be interchanged by choosing from a variety of designs, colors, texture and fabric types customized according to user preferences. The exterior surface of the outer cover may comprise images, pictures, text, abstract designs, icons and the like, reflecting the personality or mood of the user of the backpack. In addition, the interchangeable outer panel 110 can also be self-designed by users to reflect style that is trending in the present and facilitates to stay updated with such changing trends of fashion. Moreover bags with customized outer panels enables the user to express their uniqueness, individuality and also to create their own personality and style.

Each of the upper zipper and lower zipper 112, 114 comprises a complementary to zipper portion 102, 104 fixed onto the exterior surface 108 of the bag 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the zipper portions 102 and 112 are held together by a clasp lock comprising a pull tab for fastening or unfastening the upper zipper. Similarly, the zipper portions 104 and 114 are held together by a clasp lock comprising a pull tab for fastening or unfastening the lower zipper. The pull tab can be attached to either zipper portions 112, 114 on the outer panel or the zipper portions 102, 104 on the exterior surface 108 of the bag 100.

In an embodiment, the outer panel 110 may extend to cover lateral sides of the exterior surface 108 of the backpack 100. The interior surface of the outer panel 110 may also comprise one or more pouches or compartments for sorting and storing of users' belongings. For example, the outer panel 110 may comprise pen holder, cup holder, bottle holder, mesh pockets, key rings, ear phone slots, coin pouch, etc.

The interchangeable outer panel 110 can also be designed to fit with other types of bags such as computer bag, rucksack, duffel bag, sling bag, tote bag, hand bag, messenger bags and diaper bags, etc., using a fastening means for removably attaching the outer panel 110 to the exterior surface of the bags. The outer panel is designed to substantially cover the exterior surface area of the above bags and detachably attached using one or more fastening means, wherein the storage space defined by the area between the outer cover and the exterior of the bag can be accessed by operating one of the fastening means.

FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of a customizable hand bag 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 4B and 4C illustrates a side view and a top view respectively of the customizable hand bag 100. The customizable hand bag 100 comprises an interchangeable outer panel 110 removably attached to the exterior surface 108 of the bag 100 via one or more fastening members such as zipper portions 112 and 114. A storage space (not shown) is defined between the exterior surface 108 of the bag 100 and the interchangeable outer panel 110.

FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of a customizable duffle bag 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 5B and 5C shows a front view and top view respectively of the customizable duffle bag 100. The customizable duffle bag 100 comprises one or more interchangeable outer panels 110 removably attached to the exterior surface 108 of the bag 100 via one or more fastening members comprising zipper portions 112 and 114. A storage space (not shown) is defined between the exterior surface 108 of the bag 100 and the interchangeable outer panel 110. The fastening members may also comprise button type fastener, hook and loop type fastener and snap fastener.

FIG. 6 illustrates the interchangeable outer panel 110 comprising upper zipper portion 112 and the lower zipper portion 114 substantially disposed along the periphery of the outer panel 110.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes can be made to the specific embodiments, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A customizable bag comprising: an interchangeable outer panel comprising one or more fastening members configured to releasably engage with one or more fastening members fixed to an exterior surface of a bag body; and a storage space defined between the interchangeable outer panel and the exterior surface of the bag body, accessible by releasing one of the fastening members.
 2. The customizable bag of claim 1, wherein the interchangeable outer panel and the exterior surface of the bag body comprises an upper fastening member and a lower fastening member.
 3. The customizable bag of claim 1, wherein the one or more fastening members comprises zipper portions.
 4. The customizable bag of claim 1, wherein the one or more fastening members comprises button, hook and loop type fastener and snap fastener.
 5. The customizable bag of claim 1, wherein the one or more fastening members comprises an elastic tab attached to at least one end of each fastening member.
 6. The customizable bag of claim 1, wherein the one or more fastening members are configured to be operated in the same direction.
 7. The customizable bag of claim 1, comprises messenger bag, hand bag, duffel bag, satchel, shoulder bag, tote bag, backpack, briefcase, trolley bag, and computer bag. 